Abstract:
Background: Pesticides are agrochemicals used in agricultural fields (herbicides and insecticides) public
health programs (insecticides to control mosquito) and urban green spaces in order to protect plants and
humans from different diseases. Pesticides are important in the modern agriculture and their use is
unavoidable; however, they impose a serious negative impact on the environment, non-target species and
distress animal, plant biodiversity, aquatic as well as terrestrial food webs and ecosystems. The problem is
amplified by inadequate knowledge, negative attitude and poor practices of farmers.
Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, practice and associated factors with proper use of pesticide
among semi- urban farmers in Holeta town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia 2023.
Methods: Across sectional study design was used among Holeta semi-urban farmers in January 2023. For
this study, sample size was calculated for all objectives based on the previous studies prevalence. The
total sample of this study was 419 participants. A systematic random sampling technique was used to
select study units (households). Data were collected from those randomly selected participants by face to
face interview, using structured questionnaires. The data were checked and entered into SPSS software
and analyzed using binary logistic regression model. Significance cut point was 0.05.
Results: All participants were participated and 100% response rate was achieved. The result showed
49.2%, 53.7% and 48.7% of the study participants had good level of knowledge, attitude and practice
respectively on proper pesticides utilization. Education level of participants (AOR: 3.91, 95%CI: 1.88,
8.15) and training on pesticides management (AOR: 9.94, 95% CI: 3.91, 25.28) were significantly
associated with knowledge of participants proper use of pesticides. Attitudes of respondents showed
significant association with their education level (elementary school) (AOR: 3.35, 95% CI: 1.33, 8.42)
and Practice was significantly associated with education level of respondents (able to read and write)
(AOR: 11.18, 95% CI: 4.46, 28.02).
Conclusion: Participants‟ level of knowledge, and practice were determined to be low, and attitude was
positive. Training history on pesticides handling and education level of participants were significantly
associated with participants‟ knowledge, attitude and practice.
